Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (H.R. 1539, S. 652)

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (H.R. 1539, S. 652)

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Act of 2017 (S. 652) in the U.S. Senate. Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the companion bill (H.R. 1539) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation reauthorizes funding for important EHDI programs over the next five years. It also makes a number of key improvements to existing EHDI programs ensuring continued access to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns, infants, and young children. This legislation focuses on improving access to appropriate follow-up and intervention services when hearing loss is identified, and further clarifies the roles of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

This bill was signed into law on October 18, 2017, which will ensure that EHDI programs continue to be funded for the next five years. Read more about the passage of the EHDI bill here. The Academy thanks all of its members who contacted their members of Congress urging them to act on this critical legislation.